Trouser guard machine



Jan. 6, 1942. fl... A. MOORE 2,258,757 l TRoUsER GUARD `MACHINE Filed sept. 2z, 1940 11 sheets-'sheet 1 L.A. MoR: 2,268,767'l TRoUsER GUARD MACHINE l Filed` sept. es. 1940 11 sheets-sheet 2 Jan. 6, 1942.

INVENTOR. law/fem@ JQ. Haare L. A.. MOORE 2,268,767

TRoUsER vemma MACHINE .Filed s ept. 23, 1946 11 Smets-Sheet 's INVENT-OR. n Y qu/fence jywfe Jn. 6l, 1942.

w 4 whmw hmw uw@ www @uw Jan. ve, 1942. 1 ,.A. Moon); 2,268,761.

TROUSER. GUARD MACHINE Filedvsepp. 2s, 1940 1 11 'sheets-s119111 4 Jan? 6, 1942. L. A. MOORE TRoUsER GUARD MACHINE Filed sept; 23, 1940 11 Sheets-sheet 5 O ww INVENTOR Lawrence #Haare Jan. 6, 1942.

L. A. MoolE TROUSER GUARD MACHINE Filed Sept. 23, 1940 11 sheets-sheet 6 INVENTOR. Lawrence Jz': More Jan. e, 1942. L, A MOORE 2,268,767

TRosER GUARD MACHINE 1l Sheets-Shet 7 Filed Sept. 25, 1940 260)' LJ V L] V L] ZW INVENTOR. L czwfffenc f77. N00?? BY gal, @u g E Jan. 6, 1942. y L; A, MQQRE "2,268,767

- TRoUsER GUARD MACHINE Filed Sept. 23, 1940 .ll Sheets-Shget 8 A INVENTOR. Z', 2Q- Lm//fefzce fr?. Haare Jan. 6, 1942. J l.. A. MOORE 2,268,767

TROUSER GUARD MACHINE Filed Sept. 25, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 vINVENTOR Law/mee LZ/700?? Ja'n. 6, 1942,- L. A. MOORE 2,263,767A

'rRousER- GUARD MACHINE Filed Sept. 2s, 1940 11 sheets-sheet 1o l A INVENTOR. L awf'ffz f5. /YOUM Jan. 6, 1942. l.. A. MOORE TROUSER GUARD MACHINE Filed Sept. 23, 1940 1l Sheets-Sheet l1 l l Patented Jan. 6, 1942 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' Lawrence A. Moore,

American Coating Mills, Inc.,

corporation of Indiana Application September 23, 1940, Serial No, 357,847

-12 Claims. (Cl. 93-1) This invention relates to machines for produc- Figure 4 is a side view, partly broken away, ing articles from strip material, 'and has to do of the supporting and retarding means, and aswith a machine in which the strip material, after y sociated parts, of Figure 3; being cut into suitable blanks, is subjected to a Figure 5 is-a sectional view, on an enlarged forming operation whereby the blanks are formed 5 scale and partly broken away, taken lsubstaninto the desired articles. v tially on line 5 5 of Figure 1, of the guide means My invention is directed to a machinev of the leading tothe printingunit; character stated having means whereby the strip Figure 6 is a plan view 0f the guide means of material may be supported in the form of a roll, Figure 5; from which the material is passed through the l0 Figure 7 iS e Sectional View. 0n an enlarged machine, in which it is cut to proper widths and scale and partly broken away, taken substantiallengths to provide blanks of proper size and ly on line 'l-l of Figure 1, 0f guide means leading shape, these blanks being then passed through from the printing unit; Y forming means and thereby formed to desired Figure 8 is a sectional view, on an enlarged shape. l5 scale and with 'certain parts shown in.elevation,

This invention is also directed to means pertaken Substantially 0n line 3-0 0f Figure 1, 01 mitting proper rotation of the roll as the strip the first set of deckle slitting rolls and associatmaterial is withdrawn therefrom, while effectiveed parts; 1y preventing over-running of the roll, the pro- Figure 9 is a sectional view, on an enlarged vision of means whereby the strip material may scale and with certain parts shown in elevation, be printed upon or .not as desired, the provision taken substantially on line 9-9 of Figure 1, of of means for slitting the strip lengthwise into dethe guide means leading t0 the measuring rolls; sired widths, such slitting means being adjust- Figure 10 is e. SeCtiOnal VieW. 011 en enlarged able whereby the machineis suitable for hanscale and with certain parts shown in elevation.

dling strip material of various widths, and the 25 taken substantially on line lll-l0 0f Figure 1A.

provision of improved cutting means for cutting of the guide means leading to the cutting rolls; the strip material into desired lengths to provide Figure 11 is a plan VieW 0f the guide means 0f the blanks. In conjunction withv the adjustable Figure 10; slitting means, I also provide adjustable guide Figure 12 is u side View. Partly breken awel'. means for the strip material during passage of the gears at One end 0f the Cutting rolls; thereof through the machine, whereby strip ma- Figure 13 is a Side View. Partly breken away. terial oi various widths may be accommodated. of the rails at one end of the cutting rolls;

I also provide means whereby the machine may y Figure 14 is an isometric view of one of the operate upon the strip material continuously in die blocks ,and the cutting Adies and associated such manner that the strip material enters the parts carried thereby;

machine at one end and the desired articles are Figure 15 is a detail plan View 0f the main delivered at the other end of the machine, or, clutch and associated parts; alternatively, the slitting and cutting and associ- Figure 16 is a Plan View. Partly brOken away. ated mechanisms may be disabled and previously of the guide means leading from the/cutting cut blanks may be delivered one at a time to the rOllS t0 the Pulling rOllS; forming section of the machine to be formed Figure 17 iS useeinul View 0f the guide means thereby to the desired articles. -Further objects of Figure 16, taken substantially 0nl line .l1-l1 and advantages of my invention will appear from 0f Figure 1A und en un enlarged Seule;

the detail description. Figure 18 is a sectional view, on an enlarged Inthe drawings: scale, taken substantially on line I8-I8 of Fig- Figures 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, taken together, are ure 1A. 0f the guide means leading frOm the pulla semi-diagrammatic lengthwise central vertical ing rolls to the transfer unit; sectional view ora -machine embodying my in- Figure 19 is a sectional view, on an enlarged vention; scale, taken substantially on line |9--l9 of Fig- Figure 2 is a detail plan view of the printing 50 ure 1B, 0f the transfer belt guide means; unit drive shaft and the associated gear and Figure 20 isa plan view, partly broken-away, clutch means; i of the guide means of Figure 19;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the means for sup- Figure 21 is Y a sectional view, on an 'enlarge porting the roll of strip material-and for retardscale, taken substantially on line 2I-2l of Figing rotation thereof and associated parts;

Elkhart, Ind., asslgnor to Elkhart, Ind., I

ure 1B, of the transfer belt guide means at the Y portion thereof leading from the transfer belts to the forming rolls;

Figure 22 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the guide means of FigureZl Figure 23 is a sectional view, partly broken away and on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 23-23 of Figure 1B;

Figure 24 is a plan view of a trouser guard blank produced by the machine of my invention;

Figure 25 is an isometric view of a conventional type of coat hanger with a trouser guard formed from the blank of Figure 24 applied thereto;

Figure 26 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 26-26 of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is a semifdiagrammatic sectional view of the forward portion of the forming section of the machine, on the order of Figure 1B but with the hopper for delivering cut blanks from stacks to the forming rolls applied and the transfer unit removed;

Figure 28 is a sectional view, on the order of Figure 21, of the stack feed hopper of Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a diagrammatic view of the drive for the feed rollers of the stack feed hopper;

Figures 30 and 30A, taken together, are a diagrammatic plan View of the drive system of the machine; and

Figures 31 and 31A, taken together, are a diagrammatic side view of the drive system of the machine.

The machine, in the form thereof intended for continuous operation onstrip material, comprises a slitting and cutting section, including a printing unit which may be used or not as desired, a transfer unit, anda forming section in which the blanks, delivered from* the trimming and slitting and cutting section to the forming section, are formed into desired shape. The transfer unit is removableand replaceable by a feed hopper unit for delivering previously cut blanks from stacks to the forming section, means being provided for disabling the cutting and slitting and trimming sections when the stack feed hopperis used, thus'providing an alternative form of the machine.

The machine, as a' whole, comprises a suitably constructed main frame 35 supported by appropriately located base frames 36, 31, 38, and 39, which base frames may be enclosed in a suitable manner to provide housings available for storage or other purposes. A frame is provided at the front ofmain frame 35 spaced a shorty distance therefrom. Suitable means, to be described more fully later, is provided for rotatably mounting on frame 40 a roll 4| of strip cardboard or analogous material. A substantially elongated U-shaped frame 42 is secured at its lower end on a rod 43 rockablymounted at the upper rear portion of frame 40. A straightening roll 44 is rotatably mounted at the upper end of frame 42, which extends upward and forward from rod 43, and bears upon the circumferential surface of roll 4|, with strip 45 passing from roll 4| about the forward portion of roll 44 and over the latter, it being, noted that frame 42 vis yieldingly urged, by means to be later described, in a clockwise direction about the axis of rod 43 so as to cause movement of straightening roll 44 downward and inward toward Athe axis of strip roll 4|, as the latter is reduced in diameter by the withdrawal of strip 45 therefrom. Straightening roll 44 assures that the strip 45 will be delivered from roll 4I to the first section of the machine 75 in a straight and true condition, in a manner to be described presently.

The strip 45 passing from straightening roll 44 into the first section of the machine is maintained under appropriate tension, as will appear more fully hereinafter. A tell-tale roll 46, mounted in a frame 41 pivoted on the upper portion of frame 42, bears upon the upper face of strip 45 in rear of and adjacent roll 44. A rod 48, connected at its upper end to frame 41 and slidable through a guide nger 49 secured to frame 42, is disposed to actuate a switch 50, of known type, and suitably mounted on frame 42, upon downward movement of tell-tale roll 46 due to breaking of the strip 45. A cam member 5|, carried either by rod 43 or by frame 42 and movable with the latter, is disposed to actuate a switch 62, similar to switch 50 and suitably mounted on frame 40, when straightening roll 44 has moved inward vof strip roll 4I, due to reduction in size of the latter in the withdrawal-of the strip therefrom, a predetermined distance, as into the position indicated by the dot and dash lines in Figure l. The switches 50 and 52, when actuated in the manner stated, may cause operation of known signals (not shown), suitably located, thereby apprising the operator of the machine when either the strip 45 has broken or the strip roll 4| is'nearing its end and'should be replaced.

An arm 53 (Figures 3 and 4) is secured upon rod 43 adjacent one end thereof and extends upward therefrom. A tension spring 54 is anchored at one end to arm 53, the other end of this spring being anchored to frame 40. Spring 54 provides yielding means for urging the straightening roll 44 downward and inward toward the center of strip roll 4|, frame 42 being secured to rod 43 for movement therewith. Strip roll 4| is secured, in a suitable known manner, upon a central stub shaft 55 rotatably mounted in open top bearing blocks 56 secured to frame 40. Shaft 55 has a pin 51 secured through one end thereof for engagement in bayonet slots, one of which is shown at 58, in a head 59, secured to a shaft 60 disposed in alignment with the bearing blocks 56 and stub shaft 55. Shaft 60 is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 6| suitably secured to frame 40 and is confined against endwise movement. A brake drum 62 is secured upon shaft 60 for cooperation with a brake band 63, of leather or other suitablematerial. Band 63 is anchored at one end, at 64, to frame 40,' and is passed about drum 62 in the manner shown in Figure 4i, the other end of band 6 3 being con-A nected by a tension spring 65 to arm 53.

When the strip roll 4| is full, or substantially so, and but little of strip 45 has been withdrawn from this roll, the straightening roll 44 is in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4 and spring 65 is under maximum tension, brake band 63 and drum 62 then cooperating to exert maximum braking or retarding effect, resisting rotation of the strip roll 4| as the strip 45 is withdrawn therefrom. That assures proper tensioning of strip 45 as'it is withdrawn from roll 4| and also prevents over-running of the latter due to inertia, such as might occur if roll 4| were permitted to rotate freely during withdrawal of the strip 45 therefrom. Asroll 4| is reduced in size, 'in the withdrawal of strip 45 therefrom, straightening roll 44 moves inward toward the center of strip roll 4| and the tension of fspring 65 is correspondingly reduced, thus progressively reaucimr the braking effect of brake band' s:

and drum 62. That automaticallycompensates for reduction in sizeof roll 4|, permitting theflatroll. Arm 53 is provided witha series of spaced openings for attachment of the tension springs 64 and 65, whereby the tension of these-springs,

within' limits, may be varied as required. Anyl tensionl other suitable means for adjusting the of 'the springs may be provided.

A housing 66 v(Figure 1) is removably mounted in a suitable known manner at the front of frame 35. This housing 66 contains a cleaning assembly comprising brushes 61 and 68, mounted on shafts 69 and 10, respectively, and a fan 1| mounted on a shaft 12, there being an exhaust opening (not shown), through one side of housing 65 for fan 1|. Housing 66 is provided, in its front wall, with an entrance opening or slot 13 and, at the lower edge of this opening, with arcuate plates 14 over which strip 45 passes to slot 13. The strip 45 passes from slot 13 between the brushes 61 and 68 and then through slot 15 in the back wall o f housing 66 From the prmungumt u the strip 4s 1r lea rearward beneath and about an idling guide roller |88. from which it passes forward throughl guides lll, shown more clearly in Figure '1. Guides III conveniently are formed of sheet metal, are of elongated U.shape in cross section.

n and are disposed with their open ends inward.

to guide 16, shown more clearly in Figures 5 i and 6. Each of the guides comprises an angle member 11 to the inner face of the vertical arm.

of which is secured a strip 18 spaced fromk horizontal arm 19 of member 11 and defining there4 with a passage 80 for the edge portions of strip 45. The horizontal arm 19 of angle member .11 seats upon the Aupper flange 8| of lan angle cross member 82 of printing unii-l 83, which is removably mounted in frame 35 in a suitable manner.` Arm 19 of each of thel angle members 11 has secured thereto a depending stud 85 extending through la lengthwise slot 86 in arm or flange 8| cf cross member 82. Each member 11 also has an outwardly projecting ear 81 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto and seating upon arm 8| of cross member 82, ear 81 receiving a bolt 88, passing therethrough and through slot 86, with a nut 89 screwing upon the upper end of this bolt. The guide members 16 are thus mounted for adjustment toward and away from each other to accommodatevarious widths of strip material.

The printing unit 83 requires no extended description. It comprises an ink pan 92, a paddle 93 driven by shaft 94 and gearing 95,v an ink roll 96, an ink transfer roll 91, -a plateroll 98, and an impression roll 99, all of these rolls being geared together in a known manner. The printing unit is driven from shaft |00, through a, pinion on this shaft and a pinion |02 on a stubshaft |03 parallel with shaft |00, pinion |02 meshing with pinion |0| and with gear |04 secured on the shaft of plate roll 98. Pinion |0| is disposed at the inner face of a disc secured on shaft |00. A removable pin |06 is insertable through disc |05 and into a corresponding boreV or recess in pinion |0|, for coupling the latter to shaft |00 to be driven thereby. Pinion |0| is otherwise free from shaft-.|00and, by withdrawing the pin |06, may be disconnected from shaft |00 which may then continue to rotate 'without driving the printing unit. In that man? ner the printing u'nit may be enabled and disabled as required, for a purpose which will later appear. Any other suitable means may be provided for coupling and uncoupling the pinion I0| to and from the shaft |00.

away from each other to accommodate variousv widths of strip material. y

From guides ||0 strip 45 passes forward beneath a second idling guide roller ||5 disposed above the printing unit 83, as shown in Figure 1, strip 45 passing forwardly and upwardly about roller ||5 and from the top of this roller through guides ||6, it being noted that the'top of roller |,|5 -is disposed substantially in the plane of the passages of guides ||6 so that the strip may be led directly from roller ||5 to guides ||6.

From the guides ||6 the strip passes through the first set of deckle slitting rolls, shown more clearly in Figure 8. This set of rolls comprises a pair of lower rolls ||1 cooperating with a pair of upper rolls ||8. Each of the rolls ||1 and ||8 is provided, at one face thereof, with radially disposed V-shaped teeth ||9 and is disposed in overlapping relation to a corresponding upper or lower roll, thus providing a pair of rolls ||1 and ||8, the teeth ||9 of which are in overlapping meshing relation, with the teeth of the upper vroll 8 directed oppositely to the teeth of the lower roll ||1, as shown in Figure 8.

Each of the lower rolls ||1 is adjustably se'- cured, by a set screw |20, on a shaft |22 rotatably mounted in bearing blocks |23 suitably secured to angle members |24 of the main frame 3,5. Each -of the upper rolls ||8 is adjustably secured, by means of a set screw |25, on a shaft |26 rotatably mounted in bearing blocks |21 slidable on vetrical columns |28 bolted to bearing blocks |23. Shaftv |22v is confined against endwisemovement by collars |29 suitably secured thereon. Shaft |26 is likewise conned against endwise movement by collars |30 and is provided, at one. end, with a knob |3| secured thereon for rotating shaft |26 and with it the upper deckle slitting rolls |'|8 in threading the strip 45 through this set of slitting rolls..

A screw stud |32 is secured, as by welding, to each'of the bearing blocks |21 and is slidable through a cap plate |33 secured to the upper ends -of the standards |28 upon which bearing block |21 slides. Nuts |34 are threaded upon vstud |32, at the upper and the lower faces of cap plate |33, and provide therewith means for adjusting bearing blocks |21 on the standards |28. 'The adjusting means referred to renders it possible to raise the upper rolls ||8 sufficiently to clear the lower rolls ||1 thus rendering this set of slitting rolls inoperative, the strip 45 then passing over lower rolls |1 Without being operated on thereby. It also will be apparent that the rolls ||1 and the rolls ||8 may be adjusted upon the' shafts '|22 and |26, respectively, so as t0 vary the spacing of the rolls of each pair for accommodating dierent widths of strip mate-l Y rial, aswill'be further explained presently.

A housing |35 (Figure 1), open at its front,v is mounted at the front of frame 35 above houstrance opening or slot |36 in its rearward wall and with an arcuate plate |31 leading upward and linward to the lower edge of slot |36. The latter slot has its lower edge disposed substantially inthe plane of the top of guide roll ||5 and in the plane of the passage of guide means ||6, as will be clear from Figure 1. The strip material 45 may thus be led from roll 4| either to the printing unit and thence to guide means I6 and the first set of deckle slitting rolls, or it may be led, by means of housing |35, directly to guide means ||6, above guide roll ||5, and thence to the first set of deckle slitting rolls.

From the first set of deckle slitting rolls strip 45 passes through guide means |40 to a second set of deckle slitting rolls comprising a pair of upper rolls |4| and a cooperating pair of lower rolls |42. The second set of deckle slitting rolls is similar in construction and operation to the first set of deckle rolls shown in Figure 8 and requires no further description.

From the second set of deckle slitting rolls strip 45 passes through guide means |43. Guide means ||6 and guide means |40 are similar tp the guide means 16 shown in Figures 5 and '6 and above described in detail, and require no Q further description, it being noted that the guide rollers |09 and ||5 are of adequate length to handle the widest strip material which it is contemplated passing through the machine, and the guide means comprising the members ||0, the guide means I6 and the guide means |40 are al1 adjustable to accommodate variouswidths of strip.

The guide means |43 is shown more clearly in Figure 9. It comprises two angle members |44, each provided, at the inner face of its vertical arm, with a strip |45 disposed above horizontal arm |46 and defining therewith a passage |41 for the edge portion of strip 45. A screw stud |48, secured in arm |46, passes through a lengthwise slot |49 in an angle supporting-cross member |50, this stud receiving nut |5| for securing member |44 in adjustment. A bracket |52, of elongated inverted U-shape, is vsecured to the upper face of cross member |50 and overlies slots |49 therein. This bracket |52 carries a guide strip |53 spaced above a strip |54 secured to member 50, the strips |53 and |54 defining therebetween a passage |55 disposed midway between the angle member |44 and in the plane of passages |41 thereof. It will thus be seen that the guide means |43 also is adjustable for accommodating strip material of various widths that pass through the machine.A

From guide means |43 the strip 45 passes between upper and lower measuring rolls |56 and |51 secured on shafts |58 and |59. The measuring rolls are mounted in substantially the same manner as the deckle slitting rolls and a brief description thereof will suilce. Shaft |58 is rotatably mounted, adjacent each end, in a bearing block |60 to which is secured a screw stud |6| slidable through a cap plate |62, this stud receiving a coil compression spring |63 confined between bearing block |60 and cap plate |62. A nut |64 screws upon stud- |6| and bears on the upper face of cap plate |62. Roll |56 is thus yieldingly urged toward roll |51 for gripping between these two rolls the strip 45, and the upper roll |56 may be adjusted vertically as desired, the nuts |64 providing positive stops limiting downward movement of the lupper roll. Strip 45 passes from measuring rolls |56 and |51. beneath a rubber covered wetting roll |65 and from the latter over an idler guide roll |66a, as will be clear from Figure 1. Wetting roll |65 is in contact with a water roll |66 secured on a rotatably mounted shaft |61, roll |66 operating in a water pan |68 to which water is supplied 4 so as to be maintained at a constant level therein, in a known manner. Wiper means |10 contacts the upper portion of water roll |66 for determining the amount of water delivered thereby to the wetting roll |65. The latter roll serves to moisten the strip 45 to proper extent for further treatment.

Shaft |61 of water roll |66 is driven from shaft |59 of the lower measuring roll |51 by a chain |12 (Figures 30 and 3l) passing about sprockets |13 and |14 secured on shafts |59 and |61, respectively. Meshing pinions |15 and v|16 are secured on shafts |58 and |59, respectively, whereby these shafts are driven at the same speed and in opposite directions. A sprocket |11, secured on shaft |59, is connected by a chain |19 to a sprocket |19, secured on shaft |00 for driving the printing unit. Gear |0|, secured on shaft |00, meshes with pinion |02 secured on shaft |03, and pinion|02 meshes with" gear |04 secured on shaft 98a of the plate roll 98 of the printing unit, in the manner previously stated. `Gear |04 meshes with gear |18 secured on shaft 99a of impression roll 99, and with pinion |19 secured on shaft 91a of ink transfer roll 91, pinion |19 meshing with pinion |80 secured on shaft 96a of ink roll 96. A sprocket |8|, secured on shaft |03, is connected by a chain |82 to a sprocket |83 secured on shaft 94 for driving the paddle 93 in the ink pan 92. A second sprocket |85, secured on shaft |03, is connected by a chain |86 to a sprocket |81 secured on a rotatably mounted countershaft |88. A gear |89, secured on countershaft |88, meshes with a gear |90 secured on the upper brush shaft 69, gearl |90 meshing with a gear |9| secured on the lower brush shaft 10, and gear |9| meshing with a gear |92 secured on fan shaft 12. The water roll |66 and the printing unit and the cleaning mechanism, comprising the brushes 61 and 68 and the fan, are thus driven from shaft |59 of the lower measuring roll |51. l

The measuring rolls |56 and |51 serve to withdraw the strip of cardboard or like material from roll 4| and to pull it through the printing unit or through the housing |35, as the case may be, and through'the various guide means and the sets of deckle slitting rolls. In Figure 8 it is assumed that the strip 45 is originally of a width somewhat greater than twice the width of the desired blanks. Assuming that the articles to be produced are trouser guards, the strip 45 might be considered as somewhat greater than twice the width of a guard, that is, more than two guard widths. Ihe first set of slitting rolls is adjusted to trim strip 45 to two guard widths, this trimming being effected by the teeth ||9 of the deckle rolls, so as to provide deckleor serrated edges at the sides of the trimmed strip. One pair of the rolls of the second set of deckle slitting rolls is adjusted to slit strip 45 lengthwise thereof along its transverse center line thus separating it into two strips both edges of which are deckled or serrated, each strip thus produced being of the width of the desiredl blank from which the trouser guard is to be formed. The other pair of the second set of deckle rolls are not used at this time and, therefore, are adjusted along their shafts into inoperative position clear of the strip 45. The waste material trimmed oif of the lateral edge portions oi the strip may fall downward in the machine adjacent and in rear of the printing unit. Suita'bly disposed guard plates may be provided for shielding the printing ond set are adjusted to slit the strip lengthwise y into guard widths, thus separating strip 45 transversely into three strips of equal width. -In the event the original strip 45 is somewhat more than one guard width wide, either the first or Aatlserver the second set of deckle slitting rolls may be used l for trimming the strip to guard width, the upper rolls of the set not used being raised to inoperative position in the manner previouslyv described. If desired, the strip 45, before winding it into the roll 4|, may be trimmed with deckle edges to a 'width equal to one, two or three guard widths.

Ii! the pretrimmed strip 45 is of one guard width both sets of the deckle slitting rolls may be disabled, in which case the trimmed strip will be passed through the machine without being operated upon by the deckle rolls. In the event the trimmed strip is of two guard widths, one pair f of either set of the deckle rolls may bevr utilized `for slitting this strip along its transverse center line, the other rolls of that set being disposed clear of the strip and the other set of rolls being disabled. When the trimmed strip 45 is of threeguard widths either set of deckle rolls may be used for slitting this strip into three equal widths, f

the other set of rolls being disabled. It will thus be seen that by `proper adjustment of the deckle slitting rolls a strip 45 of cardboard or other suitable material having a width of from one to three times the Width of the desired blanks, or greater, may be handled with expedition and facility. l.

The printing unit 83 is supported by a suitable frame in the main frame 35, as will be clear from Figure 1, and may be removed and replaced as a unit, as may be necessary or desired. vIt will also be noted that the guide roller ||5, the deckle slitting rolls, the measuring rolls and the water roll and wetting roll, and associated parts,

are mounted on a suitable frame rem-ovably supported in the main frame 35 so as to be removed therefrom and replaced therein as may become necessary.

From guide roll |66a -strip 45 passes betweenI two cleaning brush rolls |95 and |96 secured i on shafts |91 and |98, respectively, rotatably mounted in a bracket |99 secured to cross beam 200 of main frame 35. From the rear brush roll |96 stripv 45 passes beneath a guide r-oll 20| secured on a rotatably mounted shaft 202 on which is also secured a sprocket 203 (Figures 30 and 31). A chain 204 passes about sprocket 203 and from the latter over the upper portion of a sprocket 205 .secured on shaft |93, and thence about a sprocket 206 secured on shaft |91. The brush rolls |95 and |96 are thus driven in opi posite directionsjrom shaft 202.

from guide roll 20| to guide Strip 45 passes means 2|0, shown more clearly in Figures 10 and 11. This guide means' comprises three pairsof angle members 2||, the members of each pair being disposed in opposed relation with their uptherewith passages 2 I3 for the side edge portions of a strip cut from strip 45. In that connection, it will be recalled that the strip 45 is trimmed to proper width, if wider than one guard width, and is slit lengthwise, by the deckle slitting rolls, to provide two or three, as the case may be, strips each oik one guardwidth. 4Assuming that strip 45 has been slit lengthwise to provide three strips,

the latter strips will spread apart or fan out from guide roller` |66a to guide roll 20|, each pair of the angle members 2|| receiving one of the three strips. the edge portions thereof entering and passing through the passages 2|3. Each of the angle members 2|| has a post-2|5 welded to its upper horizontal arm, these posts receiving a connecting rod 2|6 to which they are adjustably secured by set screws 2|1. A post 2|8 is Welded to the upper arm of one angle member 2I| of each pair, adjacent each end of such member. The posts 2|8 receive supporting'rods 2|9 extending transversely of the main frame 35, set screws 220 being threaded into the upper ends of posts 2|8 for adjustably securing them upon rods 2|9. The guide members 2|| of each pair are thus adjustable toward and away from each other to accommodate strips of different widths, l and the pairs of guide members are adjustable toward and away from each other for accurately positioning the strips with respect to cutting means for severing the strips into blanks, as will be described presently.

Upper and lower rubber covered pulling rolls 222 and223, respectively, secured on shafts 224 and 225, extend between each pair of guide members 2| I, as in Figure 1A. Shaft 225 of the lower roll 223 is in the fo'rm of a Astud shaft rotatably mounted in an arm 226 pivoted on a cross rod 221 mounted in brackets 228 depending from a frame 229, in which frame shaft 224 is rotatably mounted. An elongated U-shaped angle bracket 230, secured to and depending from frame 2.29, extends transversely of main frame 35. An eye bolt 23|, pivoted at its upper end Vto arm 226, is slidable through the bight portion of bracket 23'0 and is provided with a coil compression spring 233, mounted thereabout which is conned between nut 232 and the bight portion of bracket 230, this spring yieldingly. urging roll 223 upward toward roll 222. The nut 232 is adjustable upon bolt 23| for controlling compression of spring 233. Roll 222 is driven at somewhat higher speed than the measy -The strips into which strip 45 has been separated pass from the guide means 2|0 between a pair of cutting rolls comprising an upper plate per arms horizontal and having-guide strips 2|2 i secured to the inner 'faces of their vertical arms and spaced from their upper arms to define roll 235 and a lower die roll 236. Plate roll 235 is secured on a shaft 231 rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 238 constituting the side members of a rectangular frame 239 depending from two I-beams, one of which is shown at 240. Bearing blocks 233 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to Ibeams 240, and. thelatter seat upon cross I-beams 200 and 24| of the main frame 35.

A bearing block 242 is secured to and depends from each of the bearing blocks 238, and a spacer 243 is secured to the underface of each bearing block 242, frame 229, formed in two sections, being suitably secured to bearing blocks 242 and spacers 243. The parts referred to may be secured together as by bolting or any other suitable manner and the frame 229 provides a support for the cross rods 2I9 and related parts, for the guide means- 2| 0.

Die rolls 236 is `secured on a shaft 245 rotatably mounted adjacent each end in a bearing block' 246 slidable on guide rods 241 secured to and depending from bearing block 238. Rods 241 have their lower portions 241a reduced in diameter and are threaded at their lower ends for reception of nuts 248 which bear against the underface of a cross bar 249 slidable on the rods.. A coil compression spring 258 is mounted about a plunger rod 25| disposed between rods 241 and slidable through cross bar 249 and an. upper guide plate 252 suitably secured on rods 241. The upper end of plunger rod 25| bears against the underface of bearing block 246 andV spring 253 is confined between cross bar 249 and a collar 253 on plunger rod 25|. Die roll 236 isv thus provided with a floating mounting at each end and is yieldingly urged upward toward the plate roll 235 in an obvious manner. By means of the nuts 248 the compression of spring 250 may be varied to suit requirements. 1

Gears 258 mesh with pinions 265 secured on a countershaft 266 rotatably mounted parallel with shaft 231. Countershaft 266 is driven from a rotatably mounted shaft 261, by means of a sprocket 268 loose on the latter shaft and optionally clutched thereto and declutched there- 2|6 directs the strips into which strip 45 has been slit, between the rolls 235 and 236 and to position them accurately for cutting by the dies 256.l In the rotation of the cutting rolls, the strips are cut into suitable lengths to provide blanks b, one of which is shown in Figure 24,

' each of these blanks'having serrated or deckle Die roll 236 has mounted therein, in a suitable known manner, two diametrically opposite die blocks 255, the outer faces of which are flat. Each block 255 carries three cutting dies 256 (Figure 14) projecting beyond the outer face of blocks 255 and shaped as shown. Each of the dies 256 comprises a leading portion and a following portion, both of the same configuration, the following portion being provided with a resilient pad 251 formed of sponge rubber or other suitable material, this pad tting into and about the following portion of the die with its upper surface disposed, normally, somewhat above the cutting edges of the following portion of the die, for a purpose to be explained presently. Y

A gear 258 (Figures 12 and 30) is secured on shaft 231 adjacent each end oi plate roll 235 and a bearing disc or rail 259 is secured to the ends of plate roll 235. The gears 258 mesh with gears 266 secured on shaft 2 45 of die roll 236 adjacent each end thereof, one of such gears 260 being shown in Figure 12. A bearing disc or rail 26| is secured to the ends of die roll 236 and is maintained in bearing contact with the circumferential surface of the corresponding rail 259 on shaft 231 by the compression spring 250 in an obvious manner. The rails 259 are of circular shape throughout their extent, the pitch circle of the respective gears 258 corresponding to the contour of the associated rails Y259. Each of the rails 26| is provided with two flat areas 26m corresponding to they flat outer faces of the die blocks 255. 'I'he pitch contour of the teeth of each of the gears 260 corresponds to the contour of the adjacent rail 26|, this gear accordingly having two flat areas corresponding to areas 26|a of rail 26|. Plate roll 235 has mounted thereon, in any suitable known manner, two diametrically opposite cutting plates 262 conforming in curvature to roll 235, the outer faces 'of these plates being lush with the outer cir cumferential faces of the rails 259, as shown more clearly in Figures 1A and 13.

n each passage.

'side edges, as shown, and having each' end more or less rounded and provided with a substantially hook-shaped slit c, there being a short central slit c1 extending from the inner hook portion of one of the slits c, produced by a corresponding extension of the following portion of cutting die 256, as will be clear from Figure 14. A

The `blanks b pass from the cutting rolls to blank guide means 215 shown more clearly in Figuresv 16 and 17. The guide means 215 comprises a plurality of spaced parallel guide strips 216 secured to upper and lower angle cross members 211 which are suitably secured to frame 229. Cross bars 218 are suitably secured, as by means of screws 219, to the upper strip 216. Posts 286 are secured to cross bars 218 and extend downward therefrom between and at the sides of strips 216, the latter being disposed midway between adjacent posts. The posts and the strips thus define passages for the blanks b, which passages are of somewhat greater width than theblanks.

The blanks pass from the guide means 215 between three pairs of pulling rolls, one pair for Each pair of pulling rolls comprises an upper roll 282 (Figure 1A) and a cooperating lower roll 283. The rolls 282 and 283 are rubber covered for gripping between them the blanks b, and roll 283^is mounted on a stud 284 carried by an arm 285 pivoted on a cross rod 286 mounted in an angle iron bracket 281 secured to frame 229. Arm 285 is yieldingly urged upward by a coil compression spring 288 mounted about an eye bolt 289, slidable through bracket 281 in the same manner as slip roll 223 is urged upward. 'Ihe upper pulling roll 282 is secured on a shaft 290 rotatably mounted in frame 229. A sprocket 29|, secured on shaft 290, is connected by a chain 292 to a sprocket 293 secured on shaft 224 of the upper slip roll 222. A pinion 294 is secured on shaft 224 and meshes with a pinion 295 secured on a countershaft 296 rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 242 parallel withvshaft 224. Pinion 295 meshes with gear 258 secured on shaft 231 of the plate roll 235. The pinions 294 and 295 are of equal diameter, as are the sprockets 29| and 293. The upper pulling roll 282 is, accordingly, driven at the same speed as the upper slip roll 222.

The pulling rolls 282 and 283 are so disposed relative to the cutting rolls that the rearward or leading portion of strip 45 enters between the pulling roll shortly before severing of the strip by the cutting rolls to produce a blank b. Since the lower pulling roll 283 is yieldingly urged upward, a certain amount of slippage is permitted at that time to prevent'tearingof the-strip while maintaining it under desirable tension. Shortly thereafter the strip is severed by the cutting rolls, the dies cutting the following end of the blank gripped by the pulling rolls and the lead- A. ing end of the next succeeding blank. .The blank sure in the manner previously described, roll 236 moving upward abruptly so as to, in effect, strike the strip 45 a sharp blow with'the die. .This assures clean and accurate cutting of the strip. Since the. forward portion of the strip is, at-that time, gripped between the pulling rolls 282` and 283, the following end of the blank thus-produced will be pulled free of the cutting rolls. InV

order to .assure that the succeeding blank will enter the guide means 215 properly, it is desirable that means be providedv to force out of the dies the end portion of the stripwhich is Ato be thefleading end of the next succeeding blank. When this cut is made by the following portion of die 256, the cushion 251 is compressed and, as soon as the die 256 and the plate 262 pass out of cooperating relation, cushion 251 expands forcing the cut end portion of the strip out of the die, thus assuring that this end of the strip will clear the cutting rolls and pass into the guide means 215. In that manner the strip 45, or one of the strips resulting from slitting of the original strip 45, is cut into lengths to provide the blanks b and the latter are delivered inv spaced apart relation, by the pulling rolls 282 and 283,

upper and lower guide strips 302 secured to cross members 30| and defining passages for the blanks b. The guide means 300 confines the blanks vertically but not horizontally, for a reason which will be explained presently.

The clutch means 269 is' shown more in de i tail in Figure 15. It comprises a clutch member 305 fixed on shaft' 261 and cooperating with a 3o. counter 33|, of suitable known type, is driven, by

.thereof from sprocket 21| spring 3|1. When the machineis in proper operating condition. solenoid 3|5 is energized and core 3|6 is held in its retracted position. The solenoid 3|5 is suitably connected into a signal system including telltale or detector devices,-

such that if the strip 45 becomes broken or torn apart, or if the strip or the -blanks jam in the machine, the solenoid circuit will be opened thus permitting `of core 3|6 being moved into its pro jected position, indicated by dotted lines in Figure 15, by the compression spring 3I1. When in its projected position, core 3|6 is disposed to be engaged by a camming flange 320 secured toclutch member 3215.A Flange 320 shifts solenoid 3|5, and with it link 309, toward the left, as

viewed in Figure 15, sufiiciently to disengage i clutch member 306 from clutch member 305 thus- 'st-opping the drive of sprocket 268 and of shaft v266. The latter shaft has two flywheels 32| (Figure 30) secured thereon at each end thereof, to carry'the cutting rolls over. the flats of` the die roll rails, thus assuring smoother operation of the' cutting rolls. i

A sprocket wheel 325 (Figures .30 and 3l) is secured on vshaft 266, adjacent the other end Sprocket 325 receives a chain 326 which passes over idler sprockets 321r and 328, about the upper portion. vof a second sprocket 329 secured on shaft 20 I, and Athen about A a third sprocket 330 secured on shaft |59. A

means of a sprocket 332 and a chain 333, from a sprocket 334 secured on a stud 335 which is secured in one end. of the shaft 231 of the plate roll 235. It will thus be seen that the first section of the machine, comprising the/cleaning unit, the printing unit, the measuring rolls, the slitting rolls and the cutting rolls, and associated ,mechanisms may be throwninto and out of operation by clutching and declutching sprocket 268 to shaft 261, either manually or automatically.

,The blanks pass from the guide means 30u between the lower and upper run'gs of upper and clutch member 306 loose on shaft'261, the latter clutch member carrying the sprocket 268. Clutch member 306 is moved toward and awa7 from clutch member 305 by a clutch fork 301 pivoted at 308, to the forward end of which fork manually shifting clutch element 306 so as to clutch and declutch sprocket wheel 268v to and from shaft 261 as desired or necessary. A solenoid '3| 5 is iixedly mounted on link 309 and is provided with a slidable core 3|6 urged outward into projected position by a coil compression lower endless belts 340 and 34|, respectively, of a transfer unit 342 extending between the rearward end of thel first section of the machine, above described, and the forming section to be described presently. Unit 342 extends a short distance within the rearward end ofthe first section of the machine and is provided, at leach' side, with a bolting flange 343 seating'upon and bolted to an angle cross member 3.44 of the main frame 35. At its rearward portion transfer unit 342 .is provided, at each side thereof, with a bolting flange 345 (Figure 1B) seating upon and bolted to a flange 346 of main frame 35a of the rearward forming section of the machine. The rearward portions of the side walls of transfer unit 342'are of stepped formation, as indicated by dotted lines at 341, to fit correspondingly shaped portions of the forming section of the machine, for a purpose which will be explained more fully hereinafter. The transfer unit 342 may thus be removed and replaced as desired, in an obviousV a driven roll 358 secured on a shaft 35| rotatably mounted in unit 342 adjacent the forward end thereof. At their rearward ends belts 348 pass about three pulleys 352 secured on a shaft 353 rotatably mounted in bearing members 354 of unit 342. At their forward ends belts 34| pass about a roll 356 secured on a shaft 351 rotatably mounted in unit 342, below and a short distance forward` of shaft 35|. The upper runs of belts 34| pass over idler pulleys 358 secured on a shaft 359 rotatably mounted in unit 342 transversely thereof. From the idler pulley 358 belts 34| pass 381, compression spring 398 being conned between the upper arm of cross member 381 and a washer 392 seatingon nut 389. A plate 393 is rearward about idler pulleys 368 secured on a shaft 36| rotatably mounted in unit 342, parallel with and below and a short distance forward of shaft 353. fe

A pinion 365, secured on shaft 351, meshes with a pinion 366 secured on shaft 35|, these two pinions being of equal diameter. Asprocket 361,r

secured on shaft 35|, is connected by a chain 368 to a second sprocket 369 secured on shaft 298, from which the rolls 358 and 356 are driven at the same speed and in opposite directions, in an obvious manner. Preferably the rolls 358 and 356 and associated parts are enclosed within a housing 318 at the forward end of unit 342, this housing being provided with a suitable opening or slot 31| through which the guide means 388 extends. Since shaft 298 is driven by shaft 224, operation of the transfer unit is also controlled by the clutch means 269.

The belts 348 and 34| are arranged in-pairs, each pair comprising an upper belt and a lower belt, so disposed that the blanks b will be gripped between the lower run of the upper belt and the upper run of the lower belt so as to be transported thereby. These runs of the belts operate, for the major portion of their length, in guide means 315, shown more clearly in Figures l19 and 2|).v This guide means comprises three pairs of opposed angle members 316 seating upon two pairs of angle cross members 311 of transfer unit 342. The angle cross members 311 are spaced apart to define between them a slot 318 through which extend screw studs 319 on which are threaded nuts 388. The angle members 316 are thus adjustable for accommodating blanks b of various widths and so as to assure accurate alignment of the blanks with the belts 348 and 34|. Each pair of angle members 316 may also be adjusted transversely of unit 342, sov as to be positioned accurately with respect to the pairs of belts and to the associated guide means, the guide means 215 being properly adjusted for directing the blanks through the guide means 388 to the respective belts 348 and 34|.

The rearward portions of the belts 340 and 34|, beyond the idler pulleys 358, operate in guide means 38| shown more clearly in Figures 21 and 22. This guide means comprises three pairs of angle members 382, the members of each pair being adjustably secured, adjacent each end, on l a base plate 383, by vmeans of screw 384 each of which may be threaded into any one of a series of tapped openings 385 in plate 383. The plates 383 seat upon two angle cross members 386 and 381 of unit 342, cross member 386 being disposed adjacent the forward end of guide means 38| welded or otherwise suitably secured to one of the angle members 382 of each pair and extends upwardly thereabove. Plate 393 is suitably bored and tapped to receive the threaded inner end portion of an adjusting rod 394, rotatably mounted through a bracket 395 suitably secured to one side of transfer unit 342 and extending upward therefrom. It will be understood that, in practice, there are three adjusting rods 394, one for each pair of angle members 382 which, together, constitute a guide and may be vadj usted by means of rod 394 as a unit. At their rearward portions, v'beyond idler pulleys 352, angle members 382 have secured to the inner faces of their y vertical arms guide strips 396 spaced from the cured to the inner faces of the blocks.

and cross member 381 being disposed adjacent A and slightly in rear of the idler pulleys 368. Each of the base plates 383 has secured therein a depending screw stud 388 which receives a nut 389 threaded thereon and a coil compression spring 398. Stud 388 of the rearward base plate 383 extends through a slot 39| in cross member lower arm of the respective angle members and defining therewith a. passage 391 for the edge portions of the blanks b. The forward base plate 383 of each pair of angle members 382 has an angle bracket 488 welded or otherwise suitably secured to and extending from its under face, rearward of angle cross member' 386. Bracket 488'receives the threaded inner portion of an adjusting rod 48| mounted for rotation through aside of unit 342 and confined against end- Wise movement in the same manner as rod 394. It will be understood that three adjusting rods 48| are provided. It will thus be seen that the pairs of angle guide members 382 may be adjusted at each end by the rods 394 and 48|, to assure accurate positioning of these guide members relative to the guide means 315 and the belts 348 and 34|, and to forming means, to be described presently, disposed immediately in rear of the guide means 38|.

The forming means comprises an endless conveyor 485 formed of wooden blocks 486, the upper and lower runs of this conveyor traveling in guide rails 481 and 488, respectively, secured to main frame 35a of the former section of the machine. Blocks 486 are connected together by means of a sprocket chain 4|8 pivotally secured, by pintles 4|| (Figure 23) to brackets 4|2 se- In their outer faces blocks 486 are provided'with spaced parallel arcuate grooves 4|3 providing three arcuate channels extending lengthwise of conveyor 485. Chain 4|8 passes about a sprocket 4|5 (Figure 1B) secured on a shaft ,4|6 rotatably mounted in frame 35a transversely thereof, adjacent and below the rearward end of the transfer unit 342. A second sprocket 4|8, secured on shaft 4|6, is connected by a chain 4|9 to a sprocket 428 secured on a countershaft 42| rotatably mounted in frame 35a, below and parallel with the idlerpulley shaft 359. A second sprocket 422, secured on countershaft 42|, is connected by a chain 423 to a sprocket 424 secured on shaft 261 (Figures 30, 30A, 31 and 31A). In that manner, shaft 261 is driven from shaft 4|6 carrying the conveyor sprocket 4| 5, the latter sprocket being driven in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 31A so that the upper run of the conveyor travels rearward.

The conveyor 485 may be of considerable length, its length being determined by requirements. At the rearward end of conveyor 485, chain 4|8 passes about a sprocket 426 secured on a shaft 421 rotatably mounted in frame 35a transversely thereof. It. will be noted that sprocket 426 is disposed somewhat lower than guide rail 481 in Figure 1B, so that the rearward driving engagement therewith. It will beseen portion of the upper run of the conveyor is inclined downward and rearward as shown. In4 like manner, sprocket 4|5 at the front of conveyor 405 is so disposed that the forward portion of the upper run of the conveyor is inclined downward and forward. as shown in Figure 1B.

A second sprocket 430, secured on shaft 421,' is connected by a chain 43| to a sprocket 432 secured on a countershaft 433 rotatably mounted in frame 35a. A second sprocket 434 is secured on countershaft 433 and is connected by a chain 435 to a sprocket 436 secured on a second countershaft 431 at one end thereof. A pulley 436 is secured on the otherend of countershaft 431 and is connected by a belt 436 to a` pulley.440 secured on shaft 44| of an electric motor mounted in base frame 39. This motor has associated therewith a controller 443 of known type, at the front of frame 39, there being a connection box 444 at the back of frame 39, as' shown in Figure 1C. The driving connections from motor 442 to shaft 421 of the conveyor will readily be understood by reference to Figures 1B, 30A and 31A. Thermotor drives the conveyor in the manner stated and the conveyor, in turn, drives shaft 261 in the manner previously described.

The channels in the upper run ofconveyor 405 receive pipes 445, the forward ends 445a of which are rounded and closed as shown in Figure 1B. Pipes 445 receive steam from a steam pipe 446,

, through a manifold 441 and tubes 448 connected to this manifold and to the respective pipes 445 adjacent the forward end thereof, as will be clear from Figure 1B. While but one manifold 441 and steam supply pipe is shown, it will be obvious that any suitable number of manifolds and associated steam supply pipes may be provided, as conditions may require, depending upon the length of the pipes 445. A return pipe 450 leads from manifold 441 for return of condensate to the boiler. The pipes 445 extend rearward beyond the conveyor 405, as in Figure 1C, and are connected at their rearward ends to a manifold 45| from which a steam return pipe,not`shown, may extend to the boiler. While but one pipe 445 is shown in Figures 1B and 1C, it will be understood that the pipes correspond in number to the channels in thel conveyor 405, there being in the machine illustrated by way of example three such channels and, accordingly, three steam pipes 445.

A shaft 455 is rotatably mounted in frame 35a of the forming section of the machine, below the upper run of conveyor 405 and ashort distance forward of the pipes 445. A sprocket 456 is secured on shaft 455 (Figures 30A and`3lA) and is connected by a chain 451 to a third sprocket 453 secured on countershaft 42|. Shaft 455 is thus driven in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1B and 31A. A pinion 460 Figures 30A and 31A) is secured on shaft 455 adjacent the other end thereof. Pinion 460 meshes with a pinion 46| secured on a shaft 462 rotatably mounted in a frame 463 (Figure 1B) pivoted at-its forward end, at 464, between brackets 465 suitably secured to frame 35a at opposite sides thereof, one of which brackets is shown in Figure 1B. Shaft 462 has secured thereon three forming rolls 466, similar rolls being secured on three additional shafts 461 rotatably mounted in frame 463. A sprocket wheel 469 is secured on shaft 462, similar sprocket wheelsl 410 being secured on shafts 461, there being a chain 41| about all of the sprocket wheels 469 and 410 in `indicating such a condition.

that the shafts 462 and 461, and with them the forming rolls 466, are all driven in clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 1B and 31A. Frame 463 is provided, at each side of its rearward end, with an upwardly projecting fingerv413 (Figure 1B) connected by a tension spring 414 to the ad' jacent side of anangle iron member 415 of substantially inverted U-shape. The big-ht`portion of member 415 engages beneath a flange at the top of an` angle iron frame 416 suitably secured to frame 35a, and the lower end portions of the arms of member 415 engage in a cross channel element 411 of frame 416. The frame 463 isthus yieldingly held in operative position with pinion 46| in mesh with pinion 460 for driving the forming roll shafts.

In event of jamming of blanks beneath the forming rolls, the frame 463 may swing upward about its pivot in opposition to the tension springs, suitable signal means being provided for By withdrawing member 415 from frame 416, the rearward end of frame 463 is released and this frame, together with forming rolls', may be swung upward and forward about its pivot permitting clearly of the jammed blanks with expedition and facility, after which the frame 463 may readily be returned to operative position.

The forming rolls 466 are disposed in sets of four lengthwise of the conveyor 405, each set of rolls being aligned with. a channel or groove vin the upper run of the conveyor. The blanks b are delivered from the guide means 38|', at 'the rearward end thereof, to the forming rolls, the latter acting to press each blank downward into the channel of the conveyor to conform thereto,

(this pressing action being progressive due to the inclination of the forward portion of the upper livery end of conveyor'405. After being formed in this manner the blank is ofl arcuate cross section and becomes a trouser guard, such as guard g shown in Figure 26. This guard is intended for use with a wire coat hanger hof known type, by being placed over the cross bar 1' of the hanger, with the end portions of the latter engaged in the slots c of the guard. The guard g presents a rounded surface for, supporting a pair of folded trousers placed thereover, thus preventing objectionable transverse creasing of the trousers, and the serrated edges of the guard serve to prevent th'e trousers from slipping transversely thereof and thus becoming displaced.

The guards thus formed from the blanks are discharged from the rearward end of conveyor these guides providing in effect, with the upper run of the belt, a trough having a movable bottom Wall. Each of these troughs is aligned with a groove or channelof the conveyor 405to receive the guards discharged therefrom, the portion of steam pipe 445 extending rearward be- 

